Health dept. closes office amid budget crisis

MATTOON-The Coles County Health Department is closing its Mattoon office and moving all services to the department’s Charleston location in a move prompted by the state budget crisis.

The state owes the department more than $168,000, an administrator said Monday, adding that the department will still offer the same services after the closure and move.

The department also plans to cut one nursing position and one secretarial position. Officials said the department is overstaffed in its Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutritional program.

Department leaders say they are working with organizations in Mattoon to allow routine meetings with WIC clients in Mattoon, adding that people in Mattoon can also reach the Charleston office through Dial-A-Ride transit in Coles County.